Sprinkle Psyllium Husk into You Diet for Constipation

I prejudiced psyllium husk because it resembles wheat germ which, I don't fancy.

After reading loads of positive reviews, though, I bought a packet of organic psyllium from a supermarket. The price is $3 for 200 g. Fearing that it might taste like wheat germ, I sprinkle some on top of fried tofu. There's no feel or taste of fibre! I finished my tofu happily.

Ah...now I want to find out more about this trendy herbal constipation relief. The plant Plantago psyllium L. looks like this.

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 249.

The seeds,

Jose Hernandez @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

The husks

How Psyllium Aids in Relieving Constipation

Its high fiber content. Not just fiber but water soluble fiber tolerable to irritable bowels. 100 gm of oat bran contains 5 gm of soluble fiber whereas the same amount of psyllium contains 71 gm. Soluble fiber also helps to increase friendly bacteria in the digestive tract.

Add water to psyllium, it swells up to 10 times of its original volume into a soft gelatinous substance. That makes it act like a sponge. In fact, it is a sponge that can absorb anything between 8-16 times of its weight. This helps to form a bulky product that removes fecal waste and stimulates bowel movement.

How about Side Effects?

Yeap, it's possible. If you are allergic to it. Or you are working with psyllium products for long hours. If you have any kind of bowel narrowing or difficulty in swallowing, don't use psyllium. I get contradicting opinions for pregnant women. Most references advise pregnant women not to take psyllium but there are others that said otherwise. So expectant mothers should check with your doctors whether you should take psyllium. Oh yes, I want to hear your feedback about children. Generally, if you take a little to begin with and gradually increase the amount to the recommended dosage, while not forgetting to drink lots of water, psyllium can act as a natural laxative. For folks who use over the counter laxatives such as Metamucil, Serutan, Effersyllium and Isabgol, do you know that their main ingredient is no other than psyllium husk? I'd rather risk the side effects of natural psyllium LOL.

Prescription for Constipation

One teaspoon or 5gm of psyllium husks twice daily with 10 oz of water.

I substitute water with cold apple and aloe vera juice. See the tiny husks floating atop?. Would you like to share the prescription you know?

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